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La Renommee 1744 1:48. (CAF) by Salty

Paul, yes, each plank is different, each has to be steamed and there’s not much space for clamping. Thankfully, the pieces are very accurately cut as you can see from the stern section below which has planks going in every direction. I’m surprised it’s progressing as well as it is given all that, but it is.

Christian, further to the issue of homemade clamps, I think knurled thumbscrews would improve things. Mr Google says they’re available in sized smaller than M3, so should suit you purposes.

I have finished the aft section of the planking:

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If you look closely, you can see one plank is a bit larger than the others at the base. I started planking from each end of the section, but the two ends didn’t quite meet as planned. So I decided to make a new plank, rather than just use the last kit plank with a triangular stealer. I don’t think it looks too bad and it won’t be seen in the finished model.

I’m not sure why this happened. All I can think is that it might be because the longitudinal plank defining the lower edge of the diagonal section is a millimetre or so low.

Kind regards

Salty
 
I am waiting on a missing sheet of diagonal planking to be sent by Tom at CAF.

In the meantime, I have been working on the mast step for the main mast (top) and fore mast (below):

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I went for 0.8 mm brass as bolts in the end. Despite being relatively big, I don’t think the brass overwhelms the wood. I did think about trunnels, but thought that metal fasteners may have been preferred in the original ship because of the need for strength.

I made the eyebolts and rings in the chocks from 0.5 mm wire. I am waiting on some Brass Black as I have decided to try it on the fittings, but probably not on bolts/nails. On Le Coureur, I left the brass untreated and I think it looked quite good, so I’ll be interested to see the results.

Kind regards

Salty
 
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